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Wabeek Lake mansion; glass walls look into treetops, view of lake

Step inside the front door and you're standing on a bridge between two huge live trees. These three-story ficus grow out of planters in the lowest level, past the main floor bridge where you stand and on up to the top floor.

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Glass walls are 9 feet tall and look out into the treetops; a cutaway roof adds even more glass. But that’s not all the nature that pours through this dramatic house. Jessica J. Trevino, Detroit Free Press

Step inside the front door and you’re standing on a bridge between two huge live trees. These three-story ficus grow out of planters in the lowest level, past the main floor bridge where you stand and on up to the top floor. Jessica J. Trevino, Detroit Free Press

This stunning contemporary house, immersed in nature, was designed by architect Louis DesRosiers in Wabeek — the enclave of contemporary houses on the former grounds of the James Couzens mansion. Jessica J. Trevino, Detroit Free Press

Clockwise from top: Trees reach the second level as you look down onto the open living area. The sleek kitchen has granite floors and access to an outdoor deck overlooking Wabeek Lake. This is the breakfast area surrounded by natural light and access to an outdoor deck. This is the marble master bathroom with a sunken tub and walk-in shower with multiple shower heads. The view of the back of the home, which has five bedrooms and five bathrooms.(Photo: Photos by Jessica J. Trevino/Detroit Free Press)

Glass walls are 9 feet tall and look out into the treetops; a cutaway roof adds even more glass. But that's not all the nature that pours through this dramatic house.

Step inside the front door and you're standing on a bridge between two huge live trees. These three-story ficus grow out of planters in the lowest level, past the main floor bridge where you stand and on up to the top floor.

This stunning contemporary house, immersed in nature, was designed by architect Louis DesRosiers in Wabeek — the enclave of contemporary houses on the former grounds of the James Couzens mansion. It looks down over Wabeek Lake, which has a sandy beach, a dock and a boardwalk.

Inside it is expansive, sleek and off-beat. For one example, it has two prominent interior bridges or catwalks that create paths but leave views long and open. One is this 13-foot path between the two live trees. The other spans the 25-foot width of the living room across the second story.

Foyer with natural light streaming from above and staircase to the second level. Modern home on Wabeek Lake in Bloomfield Twp. This home is full of natural light with the many floor to ceiling windows with views to the very private Wabeek Lake with over 120 feet of private beach front with a dock and a deck. An open floor plan gives this 7,261 Sq.-Ft. home a very contemporary sleek look custom built 1983 a modern kitchen, 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms , listed for $1,690,000. Wednesday, April 15, 2015.(Photo: Detroit Free Press)

For another example, the stainless steel fireplace is not set as the focal point of the living room; the scenery fills that job. The fireplace is cocooned in its own demi-room, where the walls are just hip high and the seating is two long, built-in banquettes, wrapped with carpet.

"Usually people go to the fireplace first," said co-owner Heike Matthes. "You can see everything, but you are in a cozy space."

The kitchen is especially sleek with minimalist lines and blond cabinets. Appliances and trim are stainless steel. It faces the lake through the glass-walled breakfast room. Beyond that these rooms are wrapped by a balcony-deck.

Marble master Bathroom, sunken tub and walk-in shower with multi-shower heads. Modern home on Wabeek Lake in Bloomfield Twp. This home is full of natural light with the many floor to ceiling windows with views to the very private Wabeek Lake with over 120 feet of private beach front with a dock and a deck. An open floor plan gives this 7,261 Sq.-Ft. home a very contemporary sleek look custom built 1983 a modern kitchen, 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms , listed for $1,690,000. Wednesday, April 15, 2015.(Photo: Detroit Free Press)

The large owners' suite is a half-story — five steps — up from the main floor. It includes two walk-in closets and an all-marble bath. Eight more steps and you're at the longer catwalk level — the second floor and three more bedrooms.

This architecture makes the front view deceptive. From the street this looks like a one-story house, but from the lake side you see three. That third story is the lower level, glass walls facing the lake.

There's a second fireplace in the lower level, enclosed in another demi-room with carpeted banquette seating. There's an exercise area that faces the lake, a TV and sitting area, a full bath and another bedroom, as well as the exit to the boardwalk and beach, where the Mattheses often sit in the evening.

For Heike and Bernd Matthes, the biggest draw is the way nature surrounds them. "Even on a day like today (overcast) you feel like you're in nature," she said. "What I really enjoy is watching the animals."

They'll see soaring osprey swoop down and snatch a fish. They see ducks, woodchucks, possum, deer and turtles, all from a treetop perch. "You're so high above the lake it feels like a tree house."

Wabeek Lake mansion

Where: 3715 Durham Court, Bloomfield Township

How much: $1,690,000

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 3 full, 2 half

Square feet: 7,261 on the main and upper floors, plus 2,280 finished in the lower level walkout.

Key features: Dramatic architecture and a full immersion in nature on this wooded lot overlooking Wabeek Lake. Open catwalks make uninterrupted views, fireplace enclosed in a low-wall demi-room, sleek kitchen, large outdoor balcony-deck, cut-away ceilings for more light and views, boardwalk and beach.